*CHAPTER 59 *

*CHAPTER 59 *
As worried as I was that I was going to lose the connection to Caleb as we started moving, it wasn't necessary. In the rushed moments we raced up the narrow side street where we'd parked Malcolm's truck, the tug I felt from his Magic only intensified.

"You still feel it? His Magic?" Malcolm asked as we hurriedly tugged on our seatbelts.

The cold prickling sensation heightened as I focused on it. My head jerked in a nod, "Go left."

Malcolm didn't wait around for any explanation, simply whipped the truck out of our parking space, barely checking for cars as he merged into traffic. The tugging grew stronger as he drove, and I took that as a sign we were getting closer.

"Turn right here," I pointed to the next street we were quickly coming up on. I slid around on the bench seat as Malcolm rushed to follow my instructions, grip hard on the wheel.

Another tug in my gut, "Left."

The pull of Magic was leading us out of the more populated part of the city and onto darker roads, the businesses and store fronts quickly shifting to something more industrial.

"Hold on, slow down for a second." A car behind us blared its horn as Malcolm did just that, pulling off to the side of the road. The night's hot air had turned icy in my lungs and as I focused on my breathing, the sting intensifying. I squinted through the dimly lit streets, trying to make sense of where we were.

We'd pulled to a stop only a few streets over from Nightshade—an industrial shipping yard of some sort. The street was lined with padlocked fences, and to our left were the storage units of some kind. The tan cinderblock buildings were ensconced in shadows, a few loading trucks sat abandoned along the side of the building. The tug in my gut was pulling me there.

I pointed that direction, "He's in there somewhere."

Malcolm's eyes narrowed as he took in our surroundings.

With a flick of his wrist, the truck's headlights turned off. And slowly drove us into the lot among the other parked trucks where it wouldn't stand out so much. When he'd parked, he unhooked his seatbelt and turned to face me.

"I'm going in. Lock the doors behind me."

I stared at him in disbelief, "I'm coming with you."

"You only got out of the hospital a few hours ago."

"So? You can't go in there by yourself. That guy is a psychopath."

"Exactly. Which is why you need to stay here. I can take care of myself, but I can't look out for both of us and Caleb."

"We don't have time for this," I rubbed my forehead frustratedly, "What if Caleb needs help while you're taking care of the murderer? I promise I'll come back to the truck if things start looking dangerous." I wanted help, but I could admit I wouldn't exactly be much help if it came down to a fight.

He gave me a short assessing look before letting out a frustrated breath, "Fine. But don't do anything crazy. Stay quiet and stay out of the way."

As if I was going to go in there stomping and shouting. I may not have ever snuck up on a serial killer before, but I wasn't a complete idiot. I didn't have time to argue with him so I settled for an eye roll that he didn't notice as he'd bent over to grab a duffel that was stored beneath the truck's bench seat.

With deft hands he rifled through the bag, tucking a few things that looked like weapons into the waistband of his jeans, "Here," he held out a small black square between us, "It's a stun gun. Only use it if you need to. Push the button on the side to activate it."

I nodded, gingerly slipping the strap around my wrist. He silently handed me the truck keys next. In case I needed to come hide in the truck. Hopefully it didn't come down to that.

We slipped quietly out of the truck. The night too quiet around us. We were still in the city, but somehow the sounds of traffic didn't quite make it back here. Only the sound of cicadas and the sound of my heartbeat in my chest greeted us as we rounded the truck. The quiet was eerie, shadows and moonlight casting everything in shades of black and white. I felt too loud—too alive to be moving around in the stillness. It made me feel like I was being watched.

"Do you still sense Caleb's Magic?" Malcolm asked, voice low as he inspected the empty lot around us, gaze lingering on the shadows cast by the storage buildings.

"Yeah. He's this way." I moved with quick, leading the way, keeping close to the edge of the building, trusting Malcolm to watch my back. He stuck an arm out to stop me before I rounded a corner into the narrow space between storage units. Going in front of me, he eyed the space for movement. When he was satisfied that it was clear, he gestured me forward to continue leading the way.

A small breeze trickled through the space between buildings, offering a small relief in the oppressive heat. With the breeze though, it brought the dregs of that sickly sweet scent I was beginning to associate with Curse Magic. Blood Magic. Not wanting to speak, I grimly tugged on the Bond that tied us together until Malcolm let down the wall between us.

I can sense Blood Magic. We're getting close.

He nodded, coming around me to take the lead. Around another corner, one of the building's metal loading docks were open and a dim yellow light poured out onto the pavement, glinting.

There was a voice.